Solar-Powered Walkway Lights. According to the Hammacher-Schlemmer Institute, they're the best in the world. We think they're pretty cool. They absorb sunlight during the day, then beam a soft calming light all night. Brighter and longer-lasting than any other solar-powered lights, the H-S Institute says. We've never visited the "Institute"; truthfully if we had to visit a corporate "Institute," we'd prefer the Haagen Dazs "Institute" or the Anchor Steam Ale "Institute." But (no joke) we understand H-S does a good job testing.

Thing is, these lights are cheap and they're good for the environment and they look pretty good. So, if they save us from tripping over that skateboard or basketball or errantly placed lawn chair one night, we're all for them.